09/19/2025
MEET THE CAST OF OUR UPCOMING GOTHIC SOUTHERN COMEDY
CRIMES OF THE HEART!
CRIMES OF THE HEART, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play is coming to the Twin Counties! Written by Beth Henley, the play is directed by Patrick Butler and performed at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence on October 17-19 and 24-26. Opening night will feature a Special Pre-Show Reception with Beth Henley herself! Tickets will go on sale at the Arts Council's website on October 1st (www.artsculturalcouncil.org/the-box-office/). We do hope to see you at the show! Frankly, it would be a CRIME to miss it!
CRIMES OF THE HEART tells the story of three sisters who have gathered in their small Mississippi hometown awaiting news of their grandfather who is dying in a local hospital: Lenny, unmarried; Meg, a failed singer; and Babe, on bail, having shot her husband. Their troubles, which are grave yet somehow hilarious, are highlighted by their cousin Chick, Doc Porter, and Babe’s lawyer, who is trying to keep her out of jail while waging a personal vendetta against her husband. Everyone has a secret that could tear them apart, but family is family, and love wins out!
The cast of CRIMES OF THE HEART is a stellar group from Cana, Sparta, Mouth of Wilson, and Galax; some familiar to Twin County County audiences and some new!
Nicole Butt (Lenny): Has been in numerous productions in the area, including A Christmas Carol (directed by Ginger Correll), Wendy & Peter (Wandflower Theater), and The Odd Couple (also directed by Ginger). She lives in Mouth of Wilson.
Ashley Smith (Meg): Lives in Independence and was first on stage in Our Town in a small role. Three years ago, she played the lead role of Gillian in Bell, Book, and Candle.
Abby Hill (Babe): A Galax resident, Abby also had a small part in Our Town, played a young girl in a one-act play as part of Love in Stages, and most recently was Kari Ames-Bissett in Always A Bridesmaid directed by Stephanie Dees.
Crystal Billings (Chick): Crystal is well-known to audiences in the Sparta area. Last May, she did an amazing turn in another Jones/Hope/Wooten play, The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, where she played Sheree. Further, she directed a comedy entitled Exit Laughing back in 2023.
Dakota Johnson (Barnette): From Cana, Dakota has backstage and technical experience in such shows as Thunder in the Hills, the wildly popular historical drama written, produced, and directed by Frank Levering. However, Barnette represents Dakota's first foray into acting. He and his wife Emma are heavily involved in the Spoken Word Society and Pages Bookstore in Mt Airy, NC.
Zachary Weaver (Doc): Zachary also hails from Alleghany County and has been involved both on stage and behind the scenes in numerous plays in the area including Lizzie Borden of Fall River and A Christmas Carol. He is a reporter for the Alleghany News and plans to do a write-up on Beth Henley and the play as opening night draws closer.
Pam Roberts (Stage Manager): Pam is the third of our group who calls the Sparta area home--it's great to have their support and interest! Pam mostly did stage manager work until she did a one-act as part of Love in Stages, as well as the lead role in Exit Laughing. She was stage manager for the Arts Council's production of Bell, Book, and Candle, and co-starred in last spring's Always a Bridesmaid!
